Posted on Friday, October 17, 2025
For Tyler Langston ’17, landing a half-a-million-dollar contract required patience and trust, two characteristics that the former Basketball player and Business alum strengthened at LC.
“LaGrange prepared me for my career by doing the hard things,” he said. “Whether it was going through hardship on the basketball court in practices, games or training, I always had to find a way to overcome obstacles to reach our common goal. Overcoming those things and doing the “hard things” are the daily life lessons I take with me.”
Originally intending to play basketball at Oklahoma, Langston turned down the offer after touring LC and meeting with Head Coach Kendal Wallace.
“I wanted to go where I could play,” he said. “Over the 2-3 days I was in LaGrange, I could really see the true value of a small campus and getting the proper attention that is needed in the classroom to help further my education.”
After graduation, Langston said connections were paramount in him landing his first professional job in the sports industry.
“I was able to get in front of C-Suite executive straight out of college and had a very productive talk with them about my goals and aspirations and what it looked like,” he said. “Fast forward a few months when a position opened up at the Tampa Bay Lightning, through my conversation with the C- Suite Executive, I was able to get my resume to the top of the list and land the role.”
In addition to working for Tampa Bay Lightning, he also held positions at IMG Academy and fieldXperience.
Since 2023, Langston has been the Director of New Business at Knox Sports in his hometown of Tampa, Florida.
“In my role I help companies consult, negotiate and execute sports sponsorships with collegiate and/or professional teams,” he said.
The biggest deal Langston said he helped execute was between Celebrity Cruise Lines and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“You have to be able to communicate in sales,” he said. “I am a relationship type of seller. I like to get to know the person that I am working with on the opposite side.”
In September, Langston returned to his alma mater to share his expertise with students at a Sports Management Club event. He emphasized to them the importance of connections and diversifying their portfolio.
“Building your network is your biggest asset in the sports world,” he said. “Always be open because there are so many roles in this industry and you never truly know what best suits you until you get engaged in it.”
Recently, Langston became the newest member of the Sports Management Club’s Advisory Board.
“I am grateful that Tyler has joined us,” said Dr. Clay Bolton, Associate Professor of Sports Management. “He represents the ideal student in business at LaGrange College. He comes to campus, plays for four years on the men's basketball team, leads the group to four post-season appearances, works hard in sports management and in general business classes and then applied himself after school to work in the NHL and other organizations before gaining an opportunity to work at a top-notch sports marketing firm in Tampa, Florida.
“He is a role model and an example of what is possible.”
Category: College, Academics
Keywords: Sports, Business
